A New England Holiday Event
December 27, 2006 on 6:27 pm | In Local, Main |Update 8:55 p.m. The motion to give the theatre company the $25,000 passed by an overwhelming margin, 72-8. The naysayers asked some tough questions but First Selectman Pat Mechare was ready. Check tcextra.com tomorrow for a full news story.
I’m just about to take off to cover a town meeting in the Northwest Corner during my vacation. It’s not exactly how I envisioned spending the holidays, but this should be interesting.
The Falls Village Children’s Theatre Company has its eyes on the old Emerson building smack in the center of town. Click here to read a news story I wrote on it last week.
The theater company would like to use the building as a theater for its own productions and as a community center that could be used by other organizations in the town. That sounds great, of course.
But the potential controversy lies in the fact that the town’s Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance want to give the company $25,000 toward the $150,000 purchase of the 100-year-old building. Hence the need for a town meeting to approve the allocation.
A question I suspect I will hear tonight is whether it is appropriate for a municipality to give that kind of money to a non-profit organization. Of course, there is a precedent for this. The town already gives tens of thousands per year to the D.M. Hunt Library and the Falls Village Volunteer Fire Department — two venerable and vital institutions. In 2004, the town also loaned the library $150,000 to repair its aging roof.
But this nonprofit is barely a year old. In addition, Denise Cohn, the theatre company’s executive director, told me it will take about $350,000 to make the renovations needed to use the former bookstore (also a former church) for the designated use.
The theatre company has been remarkably successful — both in terms of its product and fundraising. But can Cohn and her colleagues raise the needed cash for renovations? If not, what becomes of the those $25,000 in taxpayer funds?
I will post the results of the town meeting when I get home later tonight. A full article should be up on tcextra.com tomorrow afternoon. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at The Lee H. Kellogg School.
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I did not attend the meeting, despite my good intentions.
However, I firmly believe this vote is a mistake. IF the town has $25,000 it simply must give away, give it to the Fire Company.
Too many unanswered questions: The asking price is $250k, yet, the $150k speculation is considered valid. Is there any evidence to support this presumption?
What if the theater company folds? Is there recourse for the town to recover the funds?
Comparing this to a loan to the Hunt Library is a bit of slight of hand. Or, is this a loan, as well? Then again, I am not aware of anyone from the Fire Company or the library drawing a salary. I may be wrong.
Both the library and the Fire Company benefit many more people than the theater comapny. Yes, the potential is there, but the reality is that a minority of town residents will avail themselves of a chance to work in the theater. Using your argument, Terry, the town should allocate funds to the Girl Scouts, 4H groups, basically any non-profit group in town. I don’t think that is the path you really advocate.
The building is sound, but… $350k in renovations? Add that to the optimistic $150k purchase and you are talking serious change. IF the purchase price is north of the $150k, well…
A final question:
How do you gauge remarkable success in fundraising when there is no half million dollar mortgage to pay? Personally, I would prefer to have seen a business plan. I doubt that one exists.
Comment by Paul Bartomioli — December 28, 2006 #
Paul,
I avoided taking a position in this post. Just laid out the pros and cons as best I could recall them.
My news story which be up on tcextra.com later today answers many of your valid questions.
Comment by Terry — December 28, 2006 #
Paul, some terriffic questions you raise! I run a non-profit 501 (c)(3) that operates a non profit radio station, a non-profit cable access station, and a non-profit internet station. No saleries, just grants, underwriting, and donations! We keep reinvessting the money. We ahve a business plan, we have budgets, do you think I shold go to the towns and ask for help?!!!
Hey, I want the theatre company to be successful, and thrive..but you are correct…how about money for the new ambulance garage, etc.
Dams Paul, you and I agree! It must be the holidays!!!!
Mery Christmas and a safe and happy New Year to you and your family.
marshall
PS,,,,same to you Terry, and all your bloggers!
MM
Comment by Marshall Miles — December 28, 2006 #
There is nothing wrong with town sponsored economic development grants. And Falls Village is a perfect candidate for that. How many thriving commercial businesses are there on Main St? There are times when the invisible hand of the free market cannot get things going, and help is needed to relieve burdensome regs and startup costs.
If economic development is done well, the money comes back with more employment, other businesses coming in, and eventually more tax revenue. To those who want to keep FV just the way it is, doing nothing will surely lead to further decline.
I have no opinion on the theatre company, but I knew the Emerson bookshop. If that structure is to last, it will need extensive work.
Happy New Year, Terry and all! Peter
Comment by Peter Halle — December 29, 2006 #
If the vote was indeed 72-8, then isn’t this a clear indication of the will of the people, old-fashioned New England democracy in action? Peter is right. Helping to keep the Emerson Building from falling down and making it a living, breathing building can only be good for Main Street and the economic and social vitality of Falls Village. What I want to know: Why was Fred censored?
Comment by ZenMensch — December 29, 2006 #
ALL:
AT TERRY’S SUGGESTION, I’VE BEGUN MY OWN CURRENT EVENTS BLOG. PLEASE COME AND SEE MY INAUGURAL POST AT:
http://grimblebee.blogspot.com !!
AND FEEL FREE TO JOIN IN LIVELY DEBATE!
Cheers,
–Fred–
Comment by Fred Baumgarten — December 29, 2006 #
I am not against an economic grant of whatever it takes to help the building. But, should not the town of Falls Village do a little due dilligence on the building, should not they see a full economic plan from the theatre company, should not the town control the money, not just hand it over. I think it wouldbe terriffic if the monies went into the building, but directly from the town. This just seems to be so loosy goosy. Maybe when the news story comes out, it will show details on how the money will be spent and more details on the plan of attack.
Marshall
Comment by Marshall Miles — December 29, 2006 #
Considering that in these towns you do not get 80 people out to vote on the town budget, it would seem that the meeting was well attended by supporters. Ever been to Hartford to speak on a contentious bill? The side that does the better job of marshalling support, in bodies, generally gets the vote.
Is this an economic development grant, or is that a spin move? IF the goal is economic development, why approach the town government? There is a group of people in town dedicated to economic development. The group may not be in high profile now, but they do exist.
Of course, if this is economic development, and such funds are being sought, there should be a business plan.
As I said in the initial post, lots of unanswered questions, and apparently not a lot of bang for the buck. I await being proven wrong on all the points I raised.
Don’t go FRED!! Stay and fight! Remember Thermopolaye!!
Comment by Paul Bartomioli — December 29, 2006 #
Fear not, Paul, I’m sure I shall continue posting here, though I’m feeling a little unwelcome of late!
But please come check out my new site. I’m sure it will raise a few hackles, happily!
–Fred–
Comment by Fred Baumgarten — December 29, 2006 #